Belinda Bennet, Phia Foundation’s Managing Trustee, was a key contributor at the recent Difficult Dialogues event in Goa.
Covering topics from child marriage to ‘Wealth for personal possession or social change’, the event saw leading media, academic and civil society representatives engage in dialogue on challenging issues.
ProsAlongside organisations including Video Volunteers, The National Campaign on Dalit Human Rights and Safai Karmachari Andolan, Dr Bennet spoke on the issue of social exclusion and its appalling impact on those who remain locked in poverty with their rights ignored or undermined. The panel was chaired by Shoma Chaudhury and provided moving examples of issues faced by excluded and marginalised people, including those who have to clean and unblock sewer pipes with their bare hands, leaving themselves vulnerable to health hazards. The audience engaged fully in the dialogue with questions probing the issue of exclusion and why it remains in modern day India.
Phia Foundation works to end exclusion, marginalisation, discrimination and poverty. We seek to bridge the gap between those unable to access their rights and entitlements, and support families and communities living on the edge of society and suffering from hunger, a lack of education, healthcare and other vital services so many people take for granted.
